Guus Hiddink arrived with tributes for Liverpool, laying a wreath at the Hillsborough memorial before Anzhi Makhachkala's Anfield bow and insisting the football "institution will always resurrect and return to the top where it belongs". This was a recovery only in Europa League terms but the instigator will have astonished a coach of even Hiddink's vast experience.

Stewart Downing has been overlooked to such an extent by Brendan Rodgers that when left midfield required strengthening against Reading on Saturday, the Liverpool manager turned to José Enrique. Against Anzhi, Rodgers told the winger to take a bow before the Kop in recognition of the outstanding finish that transformed Liverpool's European prospects.

It was only the fourth goal of Downing's Liverpool career since his £20m move from Aston Villa 15 months ago and while it would be a stretch to claim it was worth the wait, the value, should it lead to qualification from a group containing Udinese and the financial might of Anzhi, may be significant. The England international also needed the fillip on a personal level to avoid falling into anonymity at Anfield.

Suleiman Kerimov, the oligarch behind Anzhi's swift rise to the top of the Russian league, took his place in the front row of the Anfield directors' box for the most prestigious European night in the visiting club's history. He was to endure a frustrating night as Hiddink's team, minus three first-choice midfielders, offered only a belated threat and little evidence of a ¤300m (£190m) investment well spent.

Hiddink said: "We started a little bit shaky with not much confidence on the ball although Liverpool didn't have big chances, and after that there was more balance in the team. We took more risks in the end by bringing on an extra attacker but we were too sloppy with our finishing touch." Samuel Eto'o and the substitute Lacina Traoré were among the culprits.

The need to preserve interest in the competition outweighed the risk of injury before Sunday's Merseyside derby where Rodgers was concerned. Liverpool fielded only three changes to the side who started the Premier League win over Reading and Anfield held its breath whenever Luis Suárez took a knock.

A foul from behind by Chris Samba on the Uruguay international prompted audible groans and a booking for the former Blackburn Rovers defender. Hiddink also selected from a strong hand in an attempt to strength Anzhi's hold on Group A, with Samba and Yuri Zhirkov in defence and Eto'o berating all who dared disappoint him up front.

Eto'o had plenty to complain about for the opening half hour as Anzhi struggled to find any rhythm or accuracy to the simplest of passes. There appeared little for Liverpool to fear in a team beaten only once in 21 outings this season and Rodgers's team controlled the early exchanges, Nuri Sahin a composed presence in central midfield and Oussama Assaidi offering an outlet down the left.

Assaidi dispossessed Kamil Agalarov inside his own area and tested Gabulov at the near post before Glen Johnson was refused a difficult penalty call by the referee Bas Nijhuis. Johnson missed his shot completely as he closed in on goal but appeared to have been nudged out of his stride by Agalarov.

Anzhi survived and though their performance steadily improved as the first half progressed, with their midfield finally retaining possession, it was not until stoppage time that they first tested Brad Jones in the Liverpool goal. Fedor Smolov's 30-yard strike flew just wide of the post.

Johnson did not reappear for the second half as Rodgers gave Downing another opportunity to demonstrate his belief that a Liverpool career going nowhere on the wing could have a future at left-back. It was taken as a back-handed compliment for the £20m England international when first suggested by the Liverpool manager after the play-off win at Hearts. But the switch was given foundation after only eight minutes against Anzhi.

Liverpool had squandered a clear opening at the start of the second half when, breaking three against one, Jonjo Shelvey crossed for Steven Gerrard who headed tamely wide with Suárez lurking unmarked behind.

Moments later Shelvey picked out Downing in an advanced position on the left. There was little on but the maligned winger thought otherwise, and cut inside the full-back Agalarov before releasing a stunning finish from the corner of the penalty area beyond Gabulov. And with his right foot.